Franz Kline was born in a coal-mining region of northern Pennsylvania. Some art historians think the landscape of coal country influenced his work. Find photographs of this region and discuss whether or not this theory might be accurate.

Kline was part of a movement called abstract expressionism. Artists working in this style frequently described their art as revealing their moods and emotions in paint. What feelings and moods do you think Kline is expressing in this painting?

Untitled is a relatively unusual art work because Kline used oil paint on paper instead of canvas. Make an oil painting on paper and a similar one on canvas. Discuss the difference in applying paint on different types of material.

LANGUAGE ARTS

Write a poem based on the mood and feelings you perceive in Kline’s painting.

SOCIAL STUDIES

Abstract expressionism emerged in the late 1940s. Look at the timeline and note what historical events occurred in the 1940s. Discuss the possibility that such events might have played a role in artists’ creating works such as Untitled.